A beautiful floor dramatically adds to the elegance of any room. It speaks volumes about one’s taste and lifestyle. Choosing the perfect flooring material is increasingly becoming a daunting task with the ever-increasing number of choices. Some of the most popular choices of flooring material include engineered wood flooring, solid wood flooring, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring and so on. Each flooring material has its unique benefits and drawbacks.
One should make a sound decision about the floor material, considering their specific requirement. Laminate and Vinyl floorings are the most commonly suggested materials by any reputed floors4you company. They have a lot in common, including the similarity in cost. However, there are distinct differences between the two flooring options, which often become the deciding factors in a homeowner’s decision. This article shall help the purchaser make an informed decision about the flooring of their dream home.
What Is Vinyl Flooring?
Though this flooring type was available for a long time, the choices used to be very limited. However, in the 1970s, the introduction of luxury vinyl tiles (LVP) and luxury vinyl planks (LVP) increased the options manifold.
Vinyl flooring is composed of multiple layers of synthetic material
- Backing layer: This layer forms the backbone of the plank
- Vinyl core: It is the core upon which the vinyl is built. It is moisture resistant.
- Print vinyl layer: This layer on which distinct patterns and designs are printed to give the floor an attractive appearance.
- Wear layer: It acts as a bodyguard and protects the floor from scratches and dents. A thicker wear layer provides more protection.
Due to the addition of these layers, the moisture resistance of the floor is improved, thus making the floor more durable.
Vinyl flooring can simply be glued to the subfloor.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
The laminate flooring industry was revolutionized by the Swedish company Perstorp in the 1980s by incorporating plastic in the flooring material.
This flooring is composed of four layers:
- Vinyl backing layer: It forms the base layer of the laminate board
- Core: It is made of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or HDF (high-density fiberboard). HDF is moisture resistant, hence a bit more expensive.
- Design layer: This layer gives a stunning look to the laminate board.
- Transparent wear layer: This top layer provides much-needed protection to the board.
A tongue and groove arrangement allows the laminate boards to be snapped together during installation. The laminate boards are not physically attached; instead, they are kept suspended over the subfloor.
Differences between the Two Types of Flooring:
Looks– Laminate floors tend to be slightly more attractive than their vinyl counterparts. The embossing is usually more prominent and realistic in laminate floors.
Ease of Installation – Both these flooring options are pretty easy to install and are excellent options for DIY enthusiasts.
Laminate flooring uses a click-and-lock installation and hence can be installed over the room’s existing floor. Vinyl flooring provides various installation options such as gluing, peel-and-stick and click-and-lock boards.
Water-Resistance – Vinyl flooring is made of polymer materials and can withstand heavy water exposure. It undergoes almost no damage even after being completely immersed in water.
Laminate flooring tends to swell up or soften when exposed to water or moisture over prolonged periods. Eventually, this might cause the top layers of the boars to peel away over time.Thus, in this aspect, vinyl flooring is the clear winner and should ideally be the choice of material for bathroom or laundry floors.
Ease of Maintenance – Vinyl flooring is relatively easy to maintain. These floors can be scrubbed or mopped without worrying about damage.
Laminate, on the other hand, should be cleaned with care. Ideally, one should use a dry mop or a broom to clean the surface.
Durability – Vinyl flooring is quite durable and, if properly maintained, can last up to 20 years.
Laminate flooring is more prone to damage owing to its limited water resistance. Also, it cannot be repaired if scratches appear on the top surface of the boards. However, this flooring can last up to 10-25 years upon proper care and maintenance.
Cost – Both these flooring options tend to be cheaper than other alternatives, such as solid wood flooring or porcelain tile.
Sheet vinyl cost starts from $1 per square foot. Luxury planks can cost up to $5 per square foot. Laminate flooring can cost anywhere between $1 and $5 per square foot.
When Is Laminate A Better Choice For Home Owners?
The authentic look of laminate flooring is the most attractive feature of this material. It often proves to be a cheap yet stylish alternative for homeowners who intend to go for the look and feel of the hardwood floor.
Laminate’s core is wood-based; thus, it is eco-friendly, unlike the plastic core of vinyl. Hence it is the preferred choice for environment-conscious homeowners. In addition, this flooring often tends to be more comfortable to stand on than vinyl. Therefore, it is an ideal choice for relatively dry rooms, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
When Is Vinyl A Better Choice For Home Owners?
Vinyl is available in a wide variety of options and styles. Thus, it is ideal for the homeowner who wishes to renovate a part of the existing structure without disturbing the entire setup.
This flooring option is more durable and moisture resistant. Hence any good flooring company usually suggests this type of flooring installation in bathrooms and basements. In addition, it is resistant to stains and scratches and is easier for pets to walk or run upon. Thus, it is ideal for a house with pets.
Vinyl can be cut using a knife, unlike laminate boards which need to be sawed. Therefore, it is a better option for DIY enthusiasts.
Laminate flooring, if installed poorly, can cause a hollow sound when walked on. Thus, vinyl sometimes proves to be noisier than vinyl flooring, thus a better option in case of the bedroom.
The choice between these two trendy flooring options depends entirely upon the homeowner’s requirements. Hence it shall be prudent first to determine the purpose that a particular room shall be used for. One can then make an informed choice about the material that fulfils the said criteria.
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